The National Police Service Commission has proposed tough new regulations to seal loopholes that have long enabled bribery, favouritism and unfair practices in police recruitment.
The National Police Service Commission (Recruitment and Appointment) Regulations, 2025, have been presented to the National Assembly for debate and approval, marking a major shift in how new officers will be selected across the country.
The proposed framework introduces strict checks and a transparent step-by-step process aimed at ensuring that only competent and deserving candidates are admitted into the service.
If adopted, the changes are expected to help tackle the deep-rooted corruption that has plagued the recruitment of police officers for years.
The changes come as the Employment and Labour Relations Court temporarily halted the ongoing recruitment exercise. Judge Hellen Wasilwa issued the suspension on Friday, freezing any further hiring until the case is mentioned on October 21.
For the first time, the regulations make it illegal for any person to “solicit, offer, or receive any payment or other form of consideration” in exchange for a recruitment slot. Any individual involved, whether a prospective recruit, member of the public, or a senior official, will face prosecution under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.
The recruitment will take place in three structured phases. The first involves online submission of applications, followed by shortlisting through the recruitment system, after which successful applicants will be informed. The second phase will focus on verifying documents, carrying out physical assessments, and conducting medical checks.
Those who qualify will receive admission letters to training institutions. The final phase will involve the formal admission of selected recruits into designated police colleges.
“A person interested in filling an advertised vacancy shall apply through the recruitment system or, under special circumstances, through such other method as the commission may specify in the advertisement,” the regulations state.
Selection will strictly follow a public definition of “merit”, based on the applicant’s ability, aptitude, integrity, and performance in objective physical and medical tests.
“The commission shall only shortlist candidates who meet the minimum requirements,” the regulations further read, adding that only those shortlisted will be contacted and given details of their recruitment centres for physical evaluations.
The physical tests will also follow standardised criteria across the country. The infamous running test will now be uniform, six kilometres for men and four kilometres for women.
Minimum height has been set at 5’8” for men and 5’3” for women. Recruits will undergo checks for flat feet, limping, dental structure, eye function (including squinting and winking ability), arm stretch, the presence of all fingers, knock knees, bow legs, and any visible deformities on elbows.
“A candidate, other than a shortlisted candidate, shall not be permitted to attend the verification of documents and physical assessment,” the rules say.
All members serving on recruitment panels will be required to take a formal oath of integrity, pledging to perform their duties honestly, fairly and without fear or favour, in line with constitutional principles. Breaching this oath will attract legal consequences.
Additionally, to minimise the influence of relatives and local leaders, no recruitment panel member will be allowed to serve in their home constituency. This measure is intended to curb local patronage and ensure impartiality during the recruitment exercise.